The bit between Christmas and New Year

We'd arranged to pickAmanda and Randy up (couple we met in Fiji) on the 30th in a little place called Springfield to spend New Years with them. So we had a look at the seal colony in Kaikora, which was nice although I could only make them out when I zoomed in on the camera! Then we left and headed in the direction of Springfield, stopping at Hamner Springs. Now this was a very touristy place. Full of Kiwi's getting away for the Christmas period. It was quite expensive too so we didn't want to get roped into doing touristy things. Instead we played loads of mini golf, and did a couple of short walks in the Hamner forest, which was nice. One of the walks had a nature trail with various trees and plants along the way which were numbered and had little descriptions next to them. No. 1 was the Larch. Nothing specail about that you may think, there was to Richard, he nearly wet himself laughing when he saw it and then spent the rest of the walk saying "number one, the Larch" and giggling!!! Apparantly it's a monty python gag, but I wasn't familiar. If any of you are please let me know so I know that Rich didn't just have a moment of severe insanity!!

Next stop was a place called Oxford, a very small place. However it did have a massive camp ground just outside which was heaving with locals. I heard one guy in the kitchen bragging that he'd never left Oxford in his life!! This campground was bizzarre, while I understand that some people camp in a luxury fashion, ie they fill their cars up, have a massive tent and have tables and chairs and disposable bbq's and the like. The guys in this place bought everything! We saw full sized bbq's, A big fridge freezer and even a sofa at one place!

Next day we headed to Springfield and picked up Amanda and Randy. Was great to see them both. We didn't really have a plan other than we wanted to be by the beach for New Years Eve and have our own little private party. We loaded them into the van which was a bit of a squeeze but we managed it and headed to a little place called Bonnes bay (I think that's what it was called. Amandas friend who she'd been staying with recommended it as there was camping there) on banks peninsula just outside Akaroa. So off we go, stopping at Akaroa on the way to stock up with beer and snacks and stuff. The drive to get to the bay was a bit of a struggle for the van, it'd been coughing and spluttering a lot lately and what with the huge hills and extra weight, we were all a bit worried, but it got us there, only to find signs all over the place 'no camping'. Bugger. So, we headed to the next bay, that did have campsites but they were all full, bugger! After much discussion we decided that all beaches and bays and stuff were going to be full of people leaving Christchurch for NYE, so we headed furthere south to a place called Timaru which had a 10 day Christmas carnival on. Nice. When we arrived we found the campsite....and not only was there loads of room, it was free....bonus. Was right next to beach and there was a fair going on next door too. Was about 9pm when we arrived so we pretty much camped up, ate noodles and went to bed!